The key of A♭ major has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭). The notes of the scale are A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G and its diatonic chords are Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, G°.
A♭ major scale
A♭ major scale: A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A♭
Step: A♭ W B♭ W C H D♭ W E♭ W F W G H A♭
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Ab tonic | A♭ C E♭ | |
| ii | Bbm subdominant | B♭ D♭ F | |
| iii | Cm tonic | C E♭ G | |
| IV | Db subdominant | D♭ F A♭ | |
| V | Eb dominant | E♭ G B♭ | |
| vi | Fm tonic | F A♭ C | |
| vii° | G° dominant | G B♭ D♭ |
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Ab7M | A♭ C E♭ G | |
| ii | Bbm7 | B♭ D♭ F A♭ | |
| iii | Cm7 | C E♭ G B♭ | |
| IV | Db7M | D♭ F A♭ C | |
| V | Eb7 | E♭ G B♭ D♭ | |
| vi | Fm7 | F A♭ C E♭ | |
| viiø | Gm7(b5) | G B♭ D♭ F |
Common progressions in A♭ major
- Ab – Eb – Fm – Db (I – V – vi – IV)
- Ab – Fm – Db – Eb (I – vi – IV – V)
- Bbm – Eb – Ab (ii – V – I)
- Ab – Db – Eb – Ab (I – IV – V – I)
Relative key
The relative minor of A♭ major is F minor: same notes and chords, starting from F.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of A♭ major?
Ab, Bbm, Cm, Db, Eb, Fm, G°. With sevenths: Ab7M, Bbm7, Cm7, Db7M, Eb7, Fm7, Gm7(b5).
How many sharps or flats does A♭ major have?
The key of A♭ major has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
What is the relative minor of A♭ major?
F minor, which uses the same notes.